Current media releases
2020
November
Groundwater Prohibition Area proposed for Tonsley and surrounding areas 19 November
TheEPA is proposing to introduce a Groundwater Prohibition Area (GPA) for Tonsley and parts of Clovelly Park, Mitchell Park and Marion to protect residents and workers from groundwater contamination.
Environmental assessment work to be conducted in Ethelton 9 November
The EPA is undertaking environmental assessment work in Ethelton this month to determine if chemicals used in a former dry-cleaning business pose a risk to human health.
October
EPA groundwater contamination notifications now available in map form 28 October
The EPA has released its online groundwater contamination records in map form to make it easier to view areas in South Australia.
Environment Protection Order issued for SE gas plant 21 October
An EPO has been issued for Adelaide Energy’s Katnook Gas Processing Facility in the state’s southeast.
Groundwater Prohibition Area to be established for Keswick and surrounding areas 13 October
The EPA will establish a Groundwater Prohibition Area for Keswick and surrounding areas from 29 October 2020.
September
West Lakes fish testing results 25 September
Laboratory testing of fish from West Lakes has revealed that per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not present at levels that would make fish unfit for human consumption.
EPA to conduct further testing for TCE in Albert Park 24 September
The EPA will be conducting further groundwater and soil vapour testing in Albert Park next month following the discovery of trichloroethene (TCE) in the area last year.
Seagrass survey shows no adverse impacts from dredging project 17 September
An EPA marine monitoring survey following the dredging of Outer Harbor has found no adverse impacts on seagrass.
West Lakes given all clear for swimmers, rowers 8 September
Test results on water samples taken from West Lakes have confirmed that the lake is safe for recreational use.
August
West Lakes residents notified of PFAS contamination 25 August
The EPA yesterday letter boxed more than 700 homes and contacted community organisations in the West Lakes area, to advise of elevated concentrations of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the area.
Driver convicted for assaulting EPA officers; company fined for asbestos breaches 11 August
Gavin Piller a truck driver for GP and Sons Demolition Pty Ltd of Largs Bay has been convicted, fined $2,100 and given a four-month suspended sentence for abusing, hindering and assaulting EPA officers.
July
Health check on aquatic ecosystems shows nutrient hotspots in South East and West Coast 30 July
The latest rounds of Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Reports (AECRs) for the South Australia have revealed room for improvement in water run-off sites in the South East and West Coast.
June
New EPA licence for Nyrstar sets lower lead-in-air limits 30 June
The new conditions for operations of the Nyrstar smelter in Port Pirie will include 20 per cent lower annual average lead-in-air limits.
Keswick area Groundwater Prohibition Area proposed 29 June
A 90-day consultation period has begun for the proposed introduction of a groundwater prohibition area in Keswick and surrounding areas.
Operator receives record fine for illegal processing of waste 6 June
A skip bin and demolition company has been fined a total of $56,361 for the processing and storage of waste, including asbestos, at an unauthorised site at 1415 Main North Road, Para Hills West.
Temporary dust monitoring equipment to be removed from Port Augusta 4 June
A temporary EPA air quality monitoring station, that was established after Port Augusta was impacted by heavy dust in January 2017, will be removed from its location at Lea Memorial Oval.
Nyrstar Port Pirie licence renewal underway 3 June
The EPA is currently reviewing the licensing conditions for the Nyrstar operations in Port Pirie.
May
Sedan illegal dump sites now clear 15 May
Thousands of tonnes of illegally dumped building materials, including asbestos, have now been removed from two sites at Battens and Pipeline Road, Sedan.
EPA advises residents in parts of Keswick, Forestville, Everard Park and Ashford to not use bore water 9 May
The EPA has been notified of site contamination affecting groundwater (bore water) in Forestville that may affect bores in parts of Keswick, Forestville, Everard Park and Ashford.
Woodville North groundwater and soil testing extends 1 May
The EPA will commence the third stage of testing through the Woodville North area in May 2020 to obtain further data about the nature and extent of groundwater contamination in the area.
April
SA surface coating sector compliance results 28 April
The vast majority of surface coating operators in South Australia have been found to be placing the environment first, with 95% of compliance with all licence conditions.
Clean-up for Sedan dump sites 23 April
Clean-up is set to begin at two sites at Sedan, about 100 km north-ast of Adelaide, where thousands of tonnes of construction and demolition waste containing asbestos were found dumped in 2017.
Beverley groundwater and soil testing extends 22 April
The Environment Protection Authority will commence the seventh stage of the Beverley-Woodville South groundwater and soil vapour testing this week.
EPA assessing request for change to landfill licence, 7 March
The EPA is seeking community input as it assesses an application to allow the storage and disposal of PFAS-contaminated waste at a McLaren Vale landfill.
March
Nyrstar 25 March
The EPA is prosecuting Nyrstar Port Pirie Pty Ltd for causing serious environmental harm.
Further testing at Albert Park 25 March
The EPA has asked six landholders at Albert Park for access to their properties to conduct environmental assessments.
No health risk from raised cadmium levels in Nyrstar well 6 March
Nyrstar has reported an increase in cadmium in a groundwater monitoring well at its Port Pirie smelter.
February
If you use bore water, remember it’s best to test 6 February
With home bores getting their biggest workout in late summer, the EPA is reminding all bore owners to make it a priority to have their groundwater tested regularly.
January
PFAS contamination at CFS training centre 15 January
The EPA has asked the Country Fire Service to carry out further testing at its State Training Centre at Brukunga in the Adelaide Hills after PFAS contamination was found at the site.
Fine for illegal dumping in Spencer Gulf 14 January
A 48-year-old Port Pirie man has been fined $2,000 for dumping more than 200 kg of scrap metal in Spencer Gulf to create artificial reefs for recreational fishing.
